Invertible Bag Surface Sampler for Rapid Biological Particle Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for sampling biological particles from large surface areas are inefficient, often resulting in dilute samples that require significant equipment and laboratory settings for recovery, limiting their use in field applications and reducing detection speed.

Innovation Solution

A single-use surface sampling device with a foam sponge sampling material bonded to an invertible bag that serves as both a collection tool and a transport container, allowing for manual wiping and subsequent extraction of particles into a small liquid volume using a built-in access port, enabling efficient sampling and transport without the need for extensive equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional swab and wipe sampling methods are used, then sample collection from surfaces is performed, but the recovery efficiency is poor and samples are diluted into large volumes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample recovery efficiencyVSAvoidsample concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sampling function and extraction function into a single integrated device. The foam sampling material is permanently attached to the inside of the collection bag, allowing the same device to both collect particles from the surface and subsequently extract them into a small volume without transferring to another container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device segments the collection bag into two functional zones: the foam sampling material bonded to the inner surface for particle collection, and the bulk bag volume for containing the extraction buffer and collected particles. This segmentation allows efficient partitioning of the sampling and extraction functions within a single device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If conventional sampling methods are used, then samples can be collected, but significant laboratory equipment and user steps are required for recovery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of sample recoveryVSAvoidequipment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed to be self-contained and self-sufficient. The foam sampling material is pre-mounted on the bag, and the bag itself serves as the extraction vessel. Users simply add buffer to the bag and perform manual compression/extraction steps without needing external equipment like vortexers or centrifuges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The collection bag serves multiple functions: it is the sampling container, the transport container, and the extraction vessel. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate devices and reduces the complexity of the overall sampling workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If conventional sampling methods are used, then samples are collected, but the process is time-consuming and not suitable for rapid detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling speedVSAvoidtime for sample recovery

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The foam sampling material is pre-mounted on the collection bag during manufacturing, eliminating the need for users to assemble multiple components in the field. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces the time required for sample collection and enables rapid deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If conventional sampling methods are used, then samples can be collected, but efficient field transport and containment are difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample containmentVSAvoidfield applicability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The collection bag serves as the sampling container, transport container, and extraction vessel all in one. This eliminates the need to transfer samples between multiple containers, reducing contamination risk and simplifying field transport while maintaining sample integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230146816A1Large area surface sampler with invertible bag

Publication Date: 2023.05.11 INNOVAPREP LLC

AI summary

Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed which relate to using a use large area surface sampler with invertible bag for collection of biological and non-biological particles prior to subsequent analysis. The large area surface sampler with invertible bag uses an inverted bag with bonded sampling material to first serve as a sampling device followed by the bag being turned right side out and the captured particles being extracted inside of the bag. The device includes measures for sealing liquid in the sampling material using a protective cup at time of manufacture. This enables users to simply remove the protective cup and perform wet surface sampling prior to turning the bag right side out and removing captured particles from the sampling material with repeated compressions. The described device, systems and methods allow users to capture and elute surface samples for human clinical, veterinary, food safety, pharmaceutical, outbreak investigations, forensics, biodefense and bioterrorism response, environmental monitoring, and other applications where collection of samples from surfaces and humans or animals is required.